Oxford
Churches,
Debt
Centre
Trustees,
Annual
Report and
Accounts
Year Ending
March 2025

Contents
Trustees & Supporting Churches
Chairperson's Report
Manager's Report
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
10
Balance Sheet
12
Notes to the Accounts
13
Charity Information
14

The Trustees who have served during the year have been:
James Bloice-smith (Chairperson)
Claire Bishop
Matt Partridge
John Price
Jenni Williams
The Trustees meet on a quarterly basis.
The churches which in various ways support our work in Oxford are:
Barton Community Church
Cornerstone Church
Emmanuel Church
Headington Baptist Church
Magdalen Road Church
Oxford Friends Action on Poverty
Rivers of Life Church
st Andrew's Church. Dean Court
st Barnabas, Church
st Clement's Church
st Mallhew's Church
Wheatley Community Church
Woodstock Road Baptist Church

The past year has been another successful year, as described in the Manager's
Report, below. As ever, we wish lo thank our staff team, who have continued to
provide high quality work, along with our able volunteers. helping to alleviate
poverty in Oxford.
l am happy to report that the charity is 'on task,. is financially sound. and has
effective governance structures in place.
The three objects of our charity are: the relief of poverly, education related to the
manogement of personal finances, and the advancement of the Christian faith. The
trustees believe that the charity has effectively focussed on these objectives during
the reporting period.
In order to do this, we work in formal partnership with Chrislians Against Poverty
ICAPI, who:
train our staff and certain volunteers,
provide the expert advice which underpins our work with those in debt,
and produce high qualify resources to help wilh our education object
{CAP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Of equal importance are our partnerships with local churches enabling us to offer
more holistic support to our CAP Debt Service clients. However, the service we
provide is freely available to people of all faiths or none, and clients are free to
choose how much they use the wider community support which we make available.
The same philosophy underpins the other services which we deliver.
During the year our former treasurer, John Price. stepped down from this role, though
he continues a5 a truslee. The charity has benefitted from his skill, wisdom and many
years of diligent service. We are grateful to Peter Guy, who has taken up the
treasurer's duties. Our thanks also to Yvonne Kinyanjui for being our Independent
Examiner.

Final￿, our thanks to our supporlers. supporting churches, and charitable donors
(listed belowl who have provided the financial resources to underlake the work of
*he past year.
Doris Field Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
HDH Wills Charitable Trust
Lord Faringdon Charitable Trusl
Pharsalia Charitable Trust
Lady Tangye Trust
The Jamjar Trust
Slanton Ballard Trust
Robert & Margarel Moss Trusl
The Miiifield Trust
Oxfordshire Community Foundation Pye Charilable Selllement
st Aldate's Parochial Charities
Signed:
.James Bloice-smith. Chairperson
Dale:
gé/,,/
2o£r
. 2025.

l O years oldl
This year OCDC celebrated the l O-year anniversary of the CAP
debt centre. The central focus for this was an evenl in
Septembei lo which anyone who
had been connecled to the
centre in the last decade was
invited. It was lovely to see a mix of clients, supporters,
staff and volunteers from our partner and supporting
churches. Sleve Jones from Oxford Community
Church was the main speaker. Some clients also took
part in Ihe service and we welcomed a representalive from CAP too.
Debt help
This core area of work has been more consistent this year. In September one debt
coach, Kath Jackson, left the leam. We are
grateful for her commitmenl and contribution over
5 yeors.
"Before CAP I was aboijt to
be evic.ted and everything
was topsy tiirvy. Now I'm
standing on my own feel, in
a Lomforfable hon)e
learning liow lo budget.
Debt Freel" 1lp.bl lielp clienl
Kalh's departure decreased our capacity bul
client numbers have been steady meaning we
have not been overstretched. Ovei the last i o
years we have served 473 people in total wilh 82
clienls finding freedom from debt. This current year we hove supported 32 new
clients. Excitingly, 5 clients have gone debt free over this same period. We currently
have 18 open clienl aLcounts.
Non-cooperation and appointment cancellations are common and many drop out
in the process. Also. clients are regularly presenting with multiple and complex issues
of which financial debt is just one. Amongst the chaos in their lives, il is gratifying to
know of some successes. In one case, we managed to help write-off £7,500 of
parking fines and to support the same client to
move from sleeping in his car to a council flat.
Another client who struggles with lite has now had
a fresh slarl by going debl free after working wilh
us for over 2 1/2 years. Another is excited to be
ending his probation soon and will finish paying off a court fine. He has sel up a
sovings account and is very keen nol to go back into debt.
"Befoi'e CAP I was alwoys
sliessed abaut money Now
I thonk God I don't npcd to
worry, Debt help client

Cllent evenls
'Maiiy tlia17ks]or w17at lias been ai?
(Imazi17.q, w(Iiideiful L'uiirse wliiL'l7 if I
was ulluwé'(I I w()uld love to do ag(iiii
as I tliii?,g l iiee(11770re ongoing1?elp.
Life Ski I Is participaiit
As we look to enhonce clienl's welfare by
enjoying grealer social inleraction. our
strategy is to encourage clients to take part in
events organised by our partner churches. A
few have done this - most notably through an
OCDC team attending Emmanuel Church's Big Quiz event and coming oul the
winnersl
Due to low interest we decided not to go ahead with our coach trip to the New
Forest which we had organised for the previous 2 years. Instead we put on two
informal picnics in Bury Knowle Park in the summer
months which were well attended and appreciated.
Clients enjoyed being outside, meeting other5 and
playing one or two games.
Our annual pancake party, including a quiz. femains
the most popular event we pul on. We include a little
epilogue about Ihe meaning of Lent and Easter.
Partner Churches
We are grateful for the ongoing interest and suppor't of our partner churches. They
are still key to the success of this ministry in terms of support, prayer and providing
resources including volunteers, finances and opening Iheir doors to clients to
welcome Ihem into their communities. It is always a joy when clients want lo explore
faith further and when we see our players being answered. We have had a number
this year who have been seeking God and moved forward in their faith journey.
We are grateful to our church reps who continue to champion the work in their
churches and acl as ambassadors by regularly highlighling the CAP work, ensuring
the work slays on the church agenda.
Group servlces
We are very pleased that a5 a centie we are now offering all four of CAP'S services
in the city for the first time.
Lifp Skills
One Life Skills course was run over the course of the year by Emmanuel Church in
conjunction with St Ebbe's Centre. Our Life Ski51s manager had stepped down which
left us relying on this person being provided from Sl Ebbe's. The course was a

success with 6 people attending. Two more Emmanuel members have now been
trained as a Life Skills manager and coach.
Job Club
We are delighted that after many years of planning and waiting we have managed
to start a CAP Job Club in Oxford. This 15 hosted by St Andrew's Church. Dean Court
which up to now has not been connected with our partnership. After a manager
and two coaches had been trained, this first course attracted around 6 members, 4
of whom altended all the sessions. Inteiestingly all of these participants did not have
English as their first language.
Mone
Coachin
With the new materials now iii our hands and with 8 people from OCDC connected
churches having been re-trained as cooches, we are looking to relaunch Ihe
Money Coaching course in Oxford in June in Wheatley.
The CAP Community Café continues to provide a safe space for clients wilh a
handful ot regulars otlending. Thp venue has now been moved to St Ebbe'5 Church
building in the centre of Ihe cily to see if this will draw more people through better
Iransport networks. The proqramme for each week has been widened with some
planned activities and a meal is provided once a month.
Development
At the time of writing. we are advertising 2 staff posts. One is for a part time debt
coach to increase oui capacity for debt help still further and the other is for o
mobiliser which is a communications role particularly to strenglhen our relationships
wilh our referrer5 and then excitingly to reach out to local schools, speking to see
how we can support them and to offer them our services.
Looking forward, we are in the throes of partnering wilh a church plant on
Cutteslowe pstate to offer the resources for them lo run a Life Skills course. This will
be connected to their food larder and Ihe provision of various resources within the
local community centre.
Promotion
This coming year will offer us a number of opportunities to promote and raise the
profile of the CAP ministry in Oxford. As a staff team we have already connecled
more closely with the Job Cenlre ond have a number of ir)vitation5 lo speak at local
churches and institutions some of which have come through the CAP Speak&r
leom.

As well as the speaking opportunities. traditional methods of publicising are being
used, including Ihrough our annual CAP Sundays when partner churches have a
focus on the work in one of their services. In addition, the distribulion of postcards
through doors on housing eslales around the city happens from lime to lime.
Volunteers
Once again we are grateful for each of our 50 active
volunteers without whom we couldn't do Ihis work. Many have
given tirelessly to the work over the last year mosl clearly as
befrienders through accompanying debl help clients.
We have put on two training sessions for
volunleers this year- one run by the charily
-s ..01 Archway which supports people who are lonely. and an induction
session for those new to volunleering wilh us. We have another
session planned for June on Ihe subjecl of menlal health.
The Christmas hamper packing evenl ￿ing$ together volunteers lo
buy, pack and delver hampers to all our debt clients. 27 hampers
were prepared Ihis year and as always were very gratefully
received.
As we enler Into the new flnanclal year, we are exciled by the opportunities to
evelop and grow. We are confidenl that we are in a good place and, with God's
help, we are ready lo serve all our clients and group participants over the coming
year with energy, enthusiasm and compassion.
Signed:
..Andrew Johnson, Cenlre Manager
Date:
. 2025.

Independent examlner's report on Ihe accounts
I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ihe Charity for the year ended
3151 March 2025.
Responslbllllles and ba$1$ of report
As the charity's Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
with the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 I"Ihe Act").
The trustees consider Ihol an audit is not required for Ihis year under section 144{21 of the Acl
and that an independent examination is required.
I report in respecl of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of
the Act. In carrying ouf my examination, il is my responsibility to
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners under section 14515)Ibl of the Acl.. and
stale whether particular matters come to my attenlion.
My examination was carried out in accordance wilh the general Directions given by the
Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the Act.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounls presented with those records. It olso includes considering ony
unusual items or disclosure in Ihe accounts and seeking explonolions from the trustees
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that
would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the
accovnt5 present a "true and fair" view. and the report is limited lo those matters set out in the
statement below.
Examlnei's italemenl
I conflrm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination which gives me cause to believe Ihat in, any moterial respect,.
Ihe accounting recuds were not kept in accordance wth seclion 130 of the Chorilies Act;
the accounts did not accord with Ihe accounting records; or
the accounts did not compty with the applicable requirements concerning the form and
content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other
than any requirement Ihal the accounts give a 'true and foir, view which is nol a matler
considered as parl of an independenl examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other malters in connection with the
examinolion to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper
under51anding of the occounls lo be reached.
Signed:
Yvonne Kinyanjui
. 2025.

For the year ended 31d March
2025
2024
Sources of Funds
Gifts from churches
other gifts and grants
Gift Aid tax recoverable
15.585
78,352
4,728
17,608
64,627
3,769
Total Incoming Resources
98,665
86,004
Expenditure
Salaries
CAP head office
Office renl
Travel expenses
Client give-aways
Miscellaneous
56,241
9.130
5,258
438
60,243
7,995
5.047
558
4,440
3.222
6,696
Total Outgoing Resources
78,863
81.505
Surplus/lDeficit) for the year
19,802
4,499

As at 31 sl March
2025
2024
Assets
Bank accounts
Gift Aid tax recoverable
96,717
2,640
77,426
1.785
Total assets
99.357
79,211
Creditors
HMRC
other creditors
210
866
Total creditors
210
866
Total Net Assets
99,147
78,345
Financing
General Fund brought forward
Restricted Job Clubs Fund
Surplus/{Deficit) this year
77.345
2,000
19,802
72,846
I,CK)O
4,499
Total Financing
99,147
78,345
Signed:
Peter Guy, Treasurer
Date:
. 2025.

Reserves Pollcy
The trustees have agreed that it would be prudent to hold at all times cash
reserves sufficient to last for six months. As at 31 sl March 2025 our cash
reserves amounted to approximately twelve months of the following year's
expenditure.
other Pollcles
The chority has various policies including those covering:
Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
Equal Opporlunities
Data Protection
Health & Safety
These are available for inspection and can be provided to anyone who
would like to see them.
Fund5
Most of the charity's money flows through its General Fund,. there is also a
restricted Cap Job Clubs Fund which results from donations to be used to
set up such a club in the near future.
Sources of Funds
All income is recognised when it is received, with the exception of Gift Aid
tax recoverable which is recognised at the time the gift to which it relates is
received.
Flxed Assets
The charity only capitalizes individual fixed assets costing over £ 1,000. Minor
items are written off in the accounts when they are purchased.
Trustees, Remuneratlon
All the trustees received no payment or other remuneration for their services
during the year12024 . £0)
13

Charlty Informallon
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered on 18th February
2014 with the Charity Commission. number l 155834
Oxford Churches Debt Centre IOCDC) working title". CAP Oxford Central
st Clement's Centre
Cross Street
Oxford
OX4 IDA
Tel:
07918 599255
Bank
CAF Bank Ltd.
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
ME19 4JQ
Sort code 4(Y52-40
Account no. 00025483